Make your smartphone smarter with these Android automation apps

Today's smartphones are already pretty smart, but there's a way of making them even smarter. All you need is the right app - an app to make your handset perform specific commands at a given time. Things like turning off your Wi-Fi and 3G after midnight, switching to silent mode when you're connected to your office Wi-Fi, launching your favorite music player when you plug in your headphones, or bringing you another can of root beer from the fridge on demand. Okay, an app won't really make that last action possible, but the other three, as well as many others, can be set with the Android automation apps we have listed below. Check them out!

Tasker is considered the most popular automation app for Android, but it isn't necessarily the easiest to use and set up. It also comes at a price and there's no free version of it available. But since it is praised for being one of the most versatile of its kind with its more than 200+ actions and triggers, to power users that will be money well spent. Note that while Tasker does not require root access, some actions won't work unless you have root privileges.

AutomateIt is another very capable app that can make any Android phone even smarter. Again, it allows one to set events and assign actions to be performed when triggered. It can even prevent butt dials! Again, some actions require root access in order to work. While the full version of the app comes at a cost, there's a free version available for anyone to try.

This app is focused on making an Android smartphone aware of its location. When it's near a particular cellular tower or at a specific location determined by GPS, a number of actions can be performed automatically. For those who aren't willing to pay the price, a Lite version of Smart Places is also available at the Play Store.

Price: $1.90

Smart Places

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.smartplaces

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As the name suggests, this is an app that's made to switch off your smartphone's radios at night or at a given time. Then in the morning, or after the period expires, your settings will be brought back to normal. Feel free to try the app's free version before buying the full one.

And if no other solution seems to work, give Makros a try. It is simpler to use than it seems - you just set the condition and the action to be performed when it is met. For those hesitant to buy its full version, a trial of Makros is available as well.

Tasker is considered the most popular automation app for Android, but it isn't necessarily the easiest to use and set up. It also comes at a price and there's no free version of it available. But since it is praised for being one of the most versatile of its kind with its more than 200+ actions and triggers, to power users that will be money well spent. Note that while Tasker does not require root access, some actions won't work unless you have root privileges.

Automation apps for Android

Tasker is considered the most popular automation app for Android, but it isn't necessarily the easiest to use and set up. It also comes at a price and there's no free version of it available. But since it is praised for being one of the most versatile of its kind with its more than 200+ actions and triggers, to power users that will be money well spent. Note that while Tasker does not require root access, some actions won't work unless you have root privileges.

AutomateIt is another very capable app that can make any Android phone even smarter. Again, it allows one to set events and assign actions to be performed when triggered. It can even prevent butt dials! Again, some actions require root access in order to work. While the full version of the app comes at a cost, there's a free version available for anyone to try.

This app is focused on making an Android smartphone aware of its location. When it's near a particular cellular tower or at a specific location determined by GPS, a number of actions can be performed automatically. For those who aren't willing to pay the price, a Lite version of Smart Places is also available at the Play Store.

As the name suggests, this is an app that's made to switch off your smartphone's radios at night or at a given time. Then in the morning, or after the period expires, your settings will be brought back to normal. Feel free to try the app's free version before buying the full one.

And if no other solution seems to work, give Makros a try. It is simpler to use than it seems - you just set the condition and the action to be performed when it is met. For those hesitant to buy its full version, a trial of Makros is available as well.

I have tried both tasker and moto's smart actions. Both would do what I wanted, but not necessarily when I wanted. I went with nfc tags and could not be happier. I have one in the office, company car, personal car, at the house entrance, bedroom and on the key chain.

Can you share with us how the nfc tag works on the house entrance. Do you have to take out your phone and touch the nfc tag, or it's activated simply by you passing by the entrance? I can understand nfc tags in the car - you put them on the back of the dock, I can even understand sticking a nfc tag on your desk and always placing your phone above it, but how does it work with the entrance?

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